Do not leave home without a copy of the evacuation routes. These routes
are posted on the DPS web site at
http://www.sctraffic.org/ along with other traffic information.
Motorists are strongly discouraged from taking alternate travel routes. Law
enforcement priority will be given to the main evacuation routes.

Do begin evacuation immediately if you are traveling with small
children, the elderly or people who have special medical needs.

Do expect heavy, slow-moving traffic along evacuation routes. Officers
will be at intersections and in line patrols covering the evacuation routes
to direct traffic and handle traffic emergencies. DOT will have incident
management vehicles deployed as well.

Do avoid taking multiple vehicles; car pool when possible.

Do verify that your vehicle is in good working order, checking to make
sure the gas tank is full and the tire pressure, oil levels and lights are
in working order.

Do take food, water, medicine, toiletry items and maps – particularly of
evacuation routes; there will be comfort stations set up along the way with
restroom facilities, bottled water and maps.

Do move your vehicle in case of a minor collision or vehicle trouble to
avoid further congesting the main evacuation routes.

Do not block emergency lanes or medians because emergency vehicles will
be using these. Also, please do not stop to talk with law enforcement
officers working traffic; this seriously impedes traffic and could cause a
collision.

Do help keep the Highway Patrol Communications lines open for true
emergencies; please do not dial *HP is unless you have a true emergency.

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several
places such as the following: a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality.
You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or
clogged.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or TV
stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each
window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so
that you can put it up quickly.

Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs and then
strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or TV
stations for up-to-date storm information.

Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash
cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.

Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use
precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from
breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.

Fill your car's gas tank.

Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.

Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and
medications.

Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

Complete preparation activities.

If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows.

Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst
part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the
opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds
can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.

Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes
over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.

Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another
way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out
of the car and climb to higher ground.

Do keep a copy of the evacuation routes. These routes are posted on the
DPS web site at
http://www.sctraffic.org/ along with other traffic information. You will
still need to reference those as you return.

Do not attempt to take shortcuts on alternate routes to get home. Stay
with the planned re-entry routes. Law enforcement priority will be given to
the planned routes.

Do consider waiting hours or a day later to begin re-entry if you are
traveling with small children, the elderly or people who have special
medical needs.

Do expect heavy, slow-moving traffic along re-entry routes. Officers
will be at intersections and in line patrols to direct traffic and manage
traffic emergencies. DOT will have incident management vehicles deployed as
well.

Do verify that your vehicle is in good working order, checking to make
sure the gas tank is full and the tire pressure, oil levels and lights are
in working order.

Do take food, water, medicine, toiletry items and maps – particularly of
evacuation routes; there will be comfort stations set up along the way with
restroom facilities, bottled water and maps.

Do move your vehicle in case of a minor collision or vehicle trouble to
avoid further congesting the main evacuation routes.

Do not block emergency lanes or medians because emergency vehicles will
be using these. Also, please do not stop to talk with law enforcement
officers working traffic; this seriously impedes traffic and could cause a
collision.

Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or
TV stations for instructions.

If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.

Avoid flood situations. Remember: If you encounter flood waters, do not think of trying
to cross them. Eighty percent of flood deaths happen to people in vehicles. Just two feet
of rapidly moving water can float a bus, and it only takes 6 inches to knock you off your
feet.

Watch for snakes and other animals forced into your home by flood
waters.

Watch for downed power lines and give them a wide berth.

Check your refrigerator for spoilage, but keep your water. It may be some time
before you can rely on the quality of your tap water.

To prevent accidental fires, use flashlights, not candles, to see if the power is
on or off after a hurricane. (More people die from candle-related fires after a disaster
strikes then from the disaster itself.)

If your home has been spared, keep children and pets inside.

If pets must be walked outside, keep them on a leash.

Repairing The Damage

Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing as you begin cleaning
up.

Check for structural damage in your home.

Have a professional check your water, gas, electric, and sewer lines.

If your home has sustained water damage, call your local chapter of the American
Red Cross to get your copy of their booklet, "Repairing Your Flooded Home."